Lubricator



Dec. 24, 1935. e. H. zoucK LUBRICATOR Filed Aug. 6, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Dec. 24, 1935. G. H. zoucK 2,025,080

- I LUBRIGATOR I Filed Aug. 6, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Big. 2.

IN VEN TOR.

Patented Dec. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE LUBRICATOR Application August 6, 1932, Serial No. 627,724

16 Claims.

This invention relates to lubricators and especially to lubricating equipment adapted for use in railway vehicle axle boxes, such as those emr ployed for railway car axles or for locomotive driving axles.

One of the more important objects of the invention is involved in the provision of a novel type of lubricator adapted to feed soft lubricants, especially oil, to the bearing surface of a railway axle journal.

The invention further has in view improving or increasing the efficiency and dependability of lubricator equipment of the character referred to.

r Still further, I contemplate a novel arrangement of lubricator parts constructed particularly to avoid loss of lubricant even though oil is being used.

The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages, will appear more clearly after consideration of the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a railway vehicle axle box incorporating the improvements of this invention, the view being taken on the section line of Figure 2; and

Figure 2 is also a vertical sectional view of the structure, taken substantially along the section line 2-2 of Figure l.

Before proceedingwith a specific description, 30 it is noted that the two figures illustrate the invention as applied to a locomotive driving box,

although as brought out above, at least many features herein disclosed are equally applicable to other journals, for example, those of railway car axles.

In Figure 1, the journal portion of the driving axle is indicated by the numeral 3, and from this view it will also be seen that the box structure 4 fits around the journal, with an upper cross the sides.

Interposed between the top part 5 and saddled on the journal, is a crown brass or bearing '8 through which the weight of the vehicle is transmitted to the axle. The load or weight, of course, is imposed on the top part 5 of the box through the usual spring suspension (not shown).

The box structure is further equipped with a pair of flanges 8 at opposite sides of the journal 50 3 and serving as guides to embrace the usual pedestal jaws, so as to permit the required relative vertical movement between the vehicle frame and the box.

Between the lower portions of the depending 55 legs 6-6, I have interposed or inserted a com-' part 5 at the top and depending leg portions 6 at bined lubricant reservoir and spreader member 9. The member 9 may be provided with depending lugs ID for the purpose of attachment tothe box structure by means of complementary lugs II through which securing pins l2 or the like are extended. The member 9 is further provided with upstanding side and end walls l3 and M, respectively, which serve to define a lubricant cellar or reservoir with its top open toward the lower side of the journal. As shown in Figure 10 1, the side walls l3 may be extended upwardly to points closely adjacent th horizontal center line of the journal as indicate at l5, and the terminal I portions of these extensions may be rounded sov as closely to follow the curvature of the journal. Certain advantages of this arrangement will be brought out more fully hereinafter. For the purpose of renewing the lubricant or oil supply in the reservoir, an extension 16 may be provided at one end thereof and apertured, as indicated at IT, so as to provide a convenient point of refilling. The aperture of course, may be closed by a suitable plug.

A lubricant delivery device, generally indicated by the numeral I8, is arranged between the walls I3 and It of the lubricant reservoir, the overall dimensions of this device being slightly smaller than the dimensions between the opposed walls l3l3 and IL-M, to provide freedom for vertical movement of the device l8. As clearly seen in the drawings, the device I8 includes a plate l9, curved to fit the journal, and provided with side walls 20 depending into the reservoir. The plate l9 also carries, on its upper surface, an additional element or plate M which is accurately machined to conform to the curvature of the journal. The element 2! is constantly maintained in contact with the journal bearing surface as by means of compression springs 22 reacting between the plate I9 and the bottom of the reservoir.

The side wall members 20 of the lubricant delivery device are apertured, preferably at a plurality of points, as illustrated for example at 23, these apertures being extended from the lower edge of the walls 20 upwardly through the curved plate is. At the top, the bearing element 2| is also apertured in alignment with ducts 23 so as to permit fiow of oil therethrough to the journal bearing surface. In order to distribute the lubricant axially of the journal, the plate or element 50 2! is also grooved or recessed, as at 24, these grooves being in registry with supply ducts 23.

The lubricant delivery element 2| is also preferably provided with a relatively large cut-out portion 25 disposed centrally thereof. This forms 55 a semicylindrical cavity between the journal bearing surface and the plate Hi to collect excess lubricant for return to the reservoir through ports 26. Circumferential grooves 21 are also formed in the element 2| adjacent its ends at opposite sides of the supply and distributing passages 23 and 24. Excess lubricant entering these grooves is also returned to the reservoir through passages 28.

The crown brass 1 may be grooved circumferentially of the journal as at 29, these grooves serving to collect excess lubricant moving axially of the journal so as to discharge the same downwardly inside the curved surfaces of the extensions I5 formed at the top of the reservoir walls. The excess oil then flows back into the reservoir either between its Walls l3 and walls 20 of the lubricant delivery device or through grooves 21 and return ducts 28. An axially extended recess 30, formed at the top of the inner surface of bearing 1, serves to collect excess lubricant at this point. While, as seen in Figure 2, the recess 30 terminates at points spaced from the ends of the bearing, it will also be observed that small return ducts 3| interconnect the recess 30 and the grooves 29. If desired, the bearing positioning lugs 32 at the sides of the box may be formed with grooves 33 in alignment with those numbered 27 and 29 in order still more effectively to avoid loss of lubricant axially of the journal.

As a means to ensure positive circulation of oil upwardly through the ducts 23 to the journal bearing surface, I preferably employ air jets 34, these being arranged one in alignment with each duct 23 and slightly spaced from the entrance ends thereof as illustrated in the drawings. The return ducts 3| interconnect the recess 30 and jets.34 may be supplied with air under pressure through passages 35 preferably formed by drilling the bottom wall of the reservoir 9 as shown. At one end of the lubricator, a suitable supply pipe 36 may be extended for connection with a supply of air under pressure 31. Any convenient air supply line or reservoir on the vehicle maybe employed as the source indicated at 21, and since the axle box is normally subject to movements with respect to the vehicle, I interpose a section 38 of flexible hose or the like in the pipe 36.

In considering the operation, it should first be understood that the lower ends of ducts 34 open in the reservoir 9 at a point below the oil level therein. Thus, the fluid pressure supplied to the nozzles 34 picks up and carries oil particles or spray upwardly through the ducts 23 to the grooves or recesses 24. In effect, therefore, the air nozzles 34 serve as a meansto entrainthe oil in small air streams to be carried thereby to the journal. The wiping action of the journal carries the oil from grooves 24 around to the crown brass I, and in order to provide an escape or vent for the carrying air, I preferably employ small outlets 39 communicating with the grooves 24 at points spaced considerably from the ends thereof. Even though the air exhausting through these ports may carry some oil with it, such oil will immediately flow back into the supply reservoir between the walls l3 and 20. The rounded extensions l5 of the side walls also avoid lateral escape of lubricant which may be discharged with the exhausted air.

. Bearing in mind the fact that, for proper and eflicient delivery of a liquid lubricant to a journal bearing surface, the delivery device or member must be in close and accurate contact therewith, it should be noted that one important feature of the present invention resides in the fact that provision is made for yieldingly maintaining the delivery member 2| in contact with the journal even though the journal is normally subject to angular and vertical movements in the box struc- 5 ture. In addition to the foregoing, even though relative movement normally occurs between the journal, the box structure and the frame of the vehicle, the jet and supply duct arrangements provide efiicient delivery of lubricant from the 10 reservoir to the journal bearing surface.

The structure of this invention also effects a constant circulation of lubricant from the reservoir to the top of the journal (on which the vehicle load is imposed) and from this point the 15 excess lubricant is returned to the reservoir, provision being made to substantially eliminate loss of the oil moving axially of the journal. The grooves or recesses 29 are highly effective to avoid axial loss of oil, especially since the bearing 1 is 2 provided with some surface area in contact with the journal at the ends thereof beyond grooves 29.

Still further, in considering the operation of the oil circulating system, it is noted that the ducts 3| interconnecting recess 30 and grooves 29 25 are disposed so as not completely to drain the oil from the top of the journal. As clearly seen in both figures, the ducts 3| enter the cavity 30 adjacent the top thereof and, as a result, a certain quantity,-or local supply, of lubricant will 30 be retained.

While oil ducts 23 may be positioned somewhat differently than shown in the drawings, and may be increased or diminished in number, I prefer the location illustrated and described, as it makes 35 for compactness and further facilitates fabrication of various parts including the curved plate l9 with its depending flanges 20. Note also that the depending flanges 20 are employed as guiding elements for the lubricant delivery device be- 40 tween the side walls l3 of the reservoir.

The entire lubricator arrangement is also of a type which facilitates mounting of the supporting springs for the plates l9 and 2| and, in addition, the depending flanges 20 provide for the drilling of ducts 23 extended upwardly directly to points closely adjacent the sides of the delivery element 2|. The wiping action of the journal in removing lubricant from the channels 24 is therefore highly effective.

In summary, it will be seen that my improved journal bearing structure and lubricator conveniently employs a pair of members disposed above and below the journal and each normally maintained in intimate contact with the bearing surface thereof, one member being apertured to serve as the means by which the lubricant is fed to the journal and the other member being apertured to serve as the means by which excess lubricant is returned to the reservoir. Attention is also called to the fact that even though the lubricant reservoir is located below the journal, as is customary in railway axle boxes, the oil is effectively supplied to the bearing member above the journal on which the vehicle load rests. At the same time, even though the load is normally imposed at the top of the journal, the upper bearing member efliciently serves to return excess lubricant to a reservoir located below the axle.

I claim:-

1. A lubricator of the type disclosed including,, in combination with a journal and its bearing, a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant delivery device adapted to contact with-a portion of the journal I bearing surface and having a lubricant delivery recess formed in its contacting surface, a conduit for supplying lubricant to said surface, said conduit being in communication with said recess and further having an opening in said reservoir, and air jet means adapted to project lubricant through said opening into said conduit and from the coriduit to the journal bearing surface through said recess.

2. A lubricator of the type disclosed including, in combination with a journal and its bearing, a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant delivery device adapted to contact with a portion of the journal bearing surface and having a lubricant delivery recess formed in its contacting surface, a yielding mounting for said member arranged to yieldingly urge said member against the journal to maintain intimate contact therebetween, a conduit for supplying lubricant to said surface, said conduit being in communication with said recess and further having an opening in said reservoir, and air jet means adapted to project lubricant through said opening into said conduit and from the conduit to the journal bearing surface through said recess.

3. In combination with a journal and its bearing, a lubricator including a lubricant reservoir below the journal having generally upright side walls and being open at the top, a lubricant delivery device mounted for generally vertical movement through the top opening of said reservoir and having an apertured surface adapted to contact with the journal bearing surface, means reacting between said device and the reservoir to urge said apertured surface against the journal and thus maintain intimate contact therebetween, a lubricant delivery duct communicating with an aperture in said device and having an opening in said reservoir, and air jet means for projecting lubricant upwardly through said duct for delivery to the journal bearing surface through said aperture.

4. In combination with a railway vehicle axle box, a lubricant reservoir, conduit means for supplying lubricant from said reservoir to the bearing surface of the axle, a source of air under pressure, a flexible connection between said source and said reservoir, air jet means supplied from said source and arranged to deliver lubricant from said reservoir through said conduit means to the axle bear,-

ing surface, and lubricant distribution means in- 1 therebetween, conduit means for supplying lubricant from said reservoir to the axle bearing surface through an aperture in said plate, a source of air under pressure, a flexible connection between said source and said reservoir, and air jet means supplied from said source, the air jet means being mounted in association with said reservoir and being arranged to deliver lubricant from said reservoir through said conduit means and said aperture to the axle bearing surface.

6. A railway vehicle axle journal box construction including at least a pair of members having bearing surfaces normally maintained in contact' with the journal above and below its center line, there being a recess in the bearing surface of a member above the journal and a recess in the bearing surface of a member below the journal, a

lubricant-reservoir normally fixedly mounted in the box structure below the journal, :means for maintaining the recessed surface of the lower member in contact with the journal, a lubricant supply cdnduit for delivering lubricant from said reservoir to the bearing surface of the axle journal through the recess in said lower member, and

8. In railway vehicle axle journal mechanism including a box structure having side members or legs extended downwardly at opposite sides of the journal, lubricator equipment for the journal including an open-topped receptacle positioned below the journal between said legs and constituting a lubricant reservoir, and a lubricant delivery device mounted at least in part within said receptacle with freedom for vertical movement with respect thereto, said device including a portion having a surface curved to conform to the curvature of the journal and a portion projecting downwardly from the portion first mentioned into said receptacle, said portions being' provided with a lubricant duct extended therethrough in a generally upright direction, which duct has anopen end adjacent the bottom of the second mentioned portion within the receptacle and further has an opening at its other end through said curved surface, and resilient means urging said device, including said two portions thereof, upwardly to ensure contact of said curved surface against the journal bearing surface, the resilient means being arranged to react between said receptacle and said device.

9. In railway vehicle (axle journal mechanism including a box structure having side members or legs extended downwardly at opposite sides of the journal, lubricator equipmentfor the journal including an open-topped receptacle normally fixedly positioned below the journal between said. legs and constituting a lubricant reservoir, and a lubricant delivery device mounted at least in part within said receptacle with freedom for vertical movement with respect thereto, said device including a portiomhaving atsurface curved to conform to the curvature of the journal and a portion projecting downwardly from the portion first mentioned into said receptacle, said portions being'provided with a lubricant duct extended therethrough in a generally upright direction, which duct has an open end adjacent the bottom of the second mentioned portion within the receptacle and further has an opening at its other end through said curved surface, and resilient means urging said device, including said two portions thereof, upwardly to ensure contact of said curved surface against the journal bearing surface, the resilient means being arranged to react between said receptacle and said device.

10. In combination with a railway axle box having leg members extended downwardly at opposite sides of the axle journal, 2. generally crownshaped bearing in the box above the axle, and lubricating elements between said leg members below the axle including a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant delivery device movably mounted in the box structure and having an apertured surface curved to conform to the axle bearing surface, means for urging said device against the axle to maintain intimate contact between said surfaces, means for delivering lubricant from said reservoir to the axle bearing surface through an aperture in said device, and means for returning excess lubricant fed to the axle including axially spaced circumferential grooves at opposite sides of the lubricant delivery aperture formed in the crown bearing, an additional groove or recess in the crown bearing extending generally axially of the journal and interconnecting the circumferential grooves, and return passages adapted. to receive lubricant from said grooves and discharge the same into said reservoir.

11. In a railway vehicle axle box construction having a box structure with leg members extended downwardly at opposite sides of the axle journal and a load-carrying crown bearing in the box saddled on the journal, a lubricator positioned between the leg members belowthe journal and adapted to deliver lubricant to the journal hearing surface to be carried thereby to the crown bearing, a recess formed in said crown bearing adjacent the top of the journal to provide a local reservoir for lubricant, and a lubricant by-pass passage also formed in the crown bearing and extending from the recess therein to said lubricator below the journal to return excess lubricant thereto, the by-pass being constructed and arranged to ensure retention of some lubricant in said local reservoir.

12. A lubricant delivery device adapted to cooperate with a railway vehicle axle journal, said device having a surface curved to conform to the journal bearing surface, elongated lubricant distributing grooves formed in said surface toward opposite sides thereof, lubricant supply ducts formed in said device and communicating with said distributing grooves, the grooves being terminated short of the ends of said surface and the surface further being provided with additional grooves which are circumferentially extended and positioned toward opposite ends thereof, discharge ducts communicating with the circumferential grooves for conducting excess lubricant away from the journal bearing surface, there being a portion of said surface between the distribution grooves and the circumferential grooves which is cut away to provide a further means of conducting excess lubricant away from the journal bearing surface.

13. In a railway vehicle journal box having a load carrying bearing above the journal, lubricating equipment including a lubricant reservoir below the journal, an apertured member below and curved to fit the journal, means for delivering lubricant from the reservoir through an aperture in said member to the journal bearing surface to be carried thereby to the load carrying bearing, lubricant reservoir means formed in said bearing opening on the journal for a substantial distance axially thereof to collect lubricant carried thereto on the journal bearing surface and a lubricant by-pass passage extended from said reservoir means and discharging in the reservoir below the journal.

14. In a railway vehicle journal box having a load carrying bearing above the journal, lubrieating equipment including a lubricant reservoir below the journal, an apertured member below and curved to fit the journal, means for deliver- 10 ing'lubricant from the reservoir through an aperture in said member to the journal bearing surface to be carried thereby to the load carrying bearing, lubricant reservoir means formed in said bearing opening on the journal for a substantial 15 distance axially thereof to collect lubricant carried thereto on the journal bearing surface and a lubricant by-pass passage extended from said reservoir means and discharging in the reservoir below the journal, said by-pass passage including 20 a circumferential groove in the bearing surface of the load carrying bearing toward an end. thereof.

15. In a locomotive driving box having depending side legs, lubricator equipment below the 25 journal including a lubricant reservoir having upright walls positioned adjacent the box legs defining an opening which faces the under side of the journal, a lubricant delivery device having a surface curved to conform to the journal bearing 30 surface and mounted in part in said reservoir with freedom for movement with the journal and with respect to the reservoir, said device being substantially as great in width as the distance between the side walls of the reservoir and having guid- 35 ing portions extending downwardly from the side edges of the device into the reservoir adjacent said walls to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, and the lubricating device also having a duct formed in a portion thereof which projects doWn- 4 wardly into the reservoir which duct has an opening in the reservoir to receive lubricant and an opening through said curved surface, and yielding means acting on said device to maintain said curved surface in contact with the journal. 5

16. In a locomotive driving box having depending side legs, lubricator equipment below the journal including a lubricant reservoir having upright walls positioned adjacent the box legs defining an opening which faces the under side of the 50.

journal, a lubricant delivery device having a surface curved to conform to the journal bearing surface and mounted in part in said reservoir with freedom for movement with the journal and with respect to the reservoir, said device being 55 substantially as great in width as the distance between the side walls of the reservoir and having guiding portions extending downwardly from i the side edges of the device into the reservoir adjacent said walls to a point adjacent the bot- 0 tom thereof, and the lubricating device also having a duct formed in a guiding portion thereof which duct has an opening in the reservoir to receive lubricant and an opening through said curved surface, and yielding means acting on 5 said device to maintain said curved surface in contact with the journal.

GEORGE H. ZOUCK.

CERTIFICATE OF- CORRECTIQN.

atent No. 2,025,080. December 24, 1935.

GEORGE H. ZOUCK.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 37, beginning with the word "return" strike out all to and in- :luding "and" in same line; and that the said Letters Patent should be read 7 with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of February, A. D. 1956.

Leslie Frazer Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

